Cops bust Kampar scam syndicate impersonating Japanese police officers

KAMPAR police have dismantled a call centre scam syndicate that posed as Japanese police officers in order to defraud Japanese citizens, following a raid last week. Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin announced the early morning operation targeting three residential units in Condominium Timur Perdana, leading to the arrest of 13 foreigners aged between 20 and 57.

The group comprised seven Japanese men, two Japanese women, and four Chinese men. Initial findings indicated the syndicate had been active since August of the previous year, employing tactics to target Japanese victims by pretending to be police officers. The suspects reportedly received commissions from successful scams. During the raid, police confiscated equipment and items valued at RM20,000, including three Japanese police badges, three sets of card holders with the Japanese police logo, three sets of clothing such as jackets, and a script written in Japanese.

Additional items seized consisted of two laptops, 18 mobile phones, two tablets, and a router. Suspects were remanded for four days to aid investigations under Penal Code Sections 120B and 420. Police are collaborating with the Immigration Department to verify the suspects' entry status and visit passes. Further inquiries are underway to uncover the syndicate's network, operating methods, financial transactions, and any other potential involved parties.